Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Overcoming Rejection
Today's Verse:
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. ~Psalm 69:9
Of all of the hurtful things that can happen to us in life, one of the worst is the feeling of rejection. Rejection is not being loved or wanted. Rejection is when you are hated and you are evil spoken against. The reaction to rejection is being aloof, thoughts of relocation, and in some very extreme cases, the desire to end one’s life. However, there is hope for us when rejection comes. There is help for us when rejection comes. This morning, let us consider David’s response to rejection. Let us see that despite rejection, we can be resilient.
We see David and his persecution.
This psalm may have been written during the time of Absalom’s revolt and takeover of the kingdom. David’s personal counsellor, Ahithophel, had turned on David and joined ranks with Absalom. David was the reproach, scorn, and disdain of those who turned against him. David speaks of his reproach five times in this psalm. David was suffering badly. He describes his affliction as being in mud where there is no standing and the waters are rising over his head. Can you imagine the feeling of David? He was feeling overwhelmed, over his head, and thinking he was over with his life. When people are against you, rip you to shreds with their caustic criticisms, and are more in number than you, you feel hopeless. David said, “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.”
We see David and his persuasion.
In spite of all this hardship, David had great faith in God. He felt like throwing in the towel, but he did not. When we face rejection, we must dig deep within and be resilient. David brought the entirety of his situation to God in prayer. In v. 13, he prayed, “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.” He prayed for God’s closeness to him. He said, “Draw nigh unto my soul.” He prayed that his enemies would be overthrown in their counsel and attempts. He prayed to be delivered out of his dire situation. He was persuaded that God’s lovingkindness to him was good in this trial. He was convinced that God knew where he was at and how he felt, and He would eventually put closure on this trial. Be resilient when you are reproached.
We see David and his performance.
As David prayed and gave this great burden to the Lord, we see David praising the Lord. He remembered that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. He saw his trial from God’s eyes. He praised God for the fact that his prayer would be answered. He remembered that he had many loyal followers who were watching him during this difficult time. As a leader, he remembered that he needed to show them a proper and godly example of how to deal with your difficult circumstances. David, by example, showed his followers that God can be praised and trusted. David had his vision for the kingdom refreshed and reminded his followers that God was still building the kingdom. He showed them that there was a future! He showed them that God would vindicate him and that there was still more God wanted to do.
Don’t let rejection drown you in its rising water. Have faith in God, and commit the situation to Him. Stand upon God’s promises, and trust in Him.
Have a resilient God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 3-5
Comments